Tebow signs with SEC network as analyst

Tim Tebow played for the Denver Broncos and N.Y. Jets before being cut by the New England Patriots in August. FILE PHOTO

BY DAVID JONESFlorida Today

Published: December 30, 2013

Updated: December 30, 2013 at 05:53 PM

GAINESVILLE – Tim Tebow, who won the 2007 Heisman Trophy and was a part of two Florida national titles in 2006 and 2008, has reached a multiyear agreement to work as an analyst for the SEC Network that launches next August.

Tebow’s main role will be as an analyst for SEC Nation, the network’s traveling pregame show that will originate from a different SEC campus each week beginning Aug. 28. In the months leading up to launch and after, he will be a part of various ESPN platforms including SportsCenter, ESPN Radio, and the network’s Heisman Trophy coverage, offering in-depth perspective as a legendary Southeastern Conference player.

Tebow will make his first appearance as an ESPN analyst on Jan. 6 during pregame coverage of the BCS national title game. He will contribute to the 9 a.m. edition of SportsCenter, College Football Live (3 p.m.) and College GameDay Built by The Home Depot (7 p.m.). He will also be part of studio coverage for the new College Football Playoff (semifinals and championship game), which begins next season.

Tebow is the first college football analyst hired for the SEC Network. He joins a roster that includes Joe Tessitore, host of SEC Nation, and Paul Finebaum, host of The Paul Finebaum radio show.

“Tim is a SEC icon with a national fan base and broad appeal. He will be a significant contributor to the compelling content we will deliver with the SEC Network,” said Justin Connolly, ESPN senior vice president, programming, college networks in a release. “Tim brings a wealth of knowledge about the game, the conference and the passion among SEC fans.”

Tebow commented: “I am so excited that ESPN has given me this incredible opportunity. When I was six years old I fell in love with the game of football, and while I continue to pursue my dream of playing quarterback in the NFL, this is an amazing opportunity to be part of the unparalleled passion of college football and the SEC.’’

Tebow and Tessitore’s first SEC Nation show will air Aug. 28 from Columbia, S.C., for the Texas A&M at South Carolina game. The game will be televised exclusively on the network. The show’s two-hour Saturday debut will be Aug. 30 from Auburn, Ala., when Arkansas visits Auburn. SEC Nation will air every Saturday throughout the SEC college football season and offer an immersive look at game day around SEC campuses.

There is a clause in his contract that allows him to leave the SEC job should an NFL team show interest.

Tebow did not play in the league in 2013 after he was cut by the Patriots in August. In the span of just over one season, he went from a national sensation who led the Broncos to the playoffs, to a backup, to out of the NFL.